THEODORA

THEODORA was the wife of JUSTINIAN Roman Emperor, in the sixth century. Though from very humble origins, she was perhaps the most influential and powerful Empress in the Roman Empire’s history. She was a strong partner in power with Justinian. She was of great influence in many measures : for women, for administrative rules and for the Justinian Code, the basis of modern civil law. She played a decisive role against a popular rebellion [ Nika Revolt ] that threatened the imperial structure of the Byzantine Civilization. Her vision was the consolidation of the Byzantine Empire, rather than Justinian’s vision [ the restoration of the old Roman Empire ]. Justinian and Theodora made Constantinople the most splendid City the world had seen for centuries : aqueducts, bridges, many churches and the magnificent “Hagia Sophia”.